Emerson's 9 month checkup

Emme had her 9 month checkup last week! She was really about 9 1/2 months old due to me originally scheduling her 9 month checkup when she was 10 months old. Apparently either I do not know how to count or I am trying to prevent her from growing up too fast! Her stats are as follows:

Height: 28 inches (50th percentile)

Weight: 18 pounds 14 ounces (50th percentile)

Head circumference: 17 7/8 inches (75th percentile)

Her height seems to have slowed a bit as she was in the 90th percentile early on but I am hopeful she will reach my desired height of 5'10" or 5'11". Either way, I WILL start working on her vertical as soon as she starts walking. I mean, she WILL be a starting player on the Nebraska volleyball team so we better start now! Of course she WILL receive a full-ride athletic AND academic scholarship to the University of Nebraska, right? :) On a sad note, she now appears to be taking after her daddy in the head circumference area. Oh no! :)

We were preparing for shots at this visit so between each person that would enter or exit the room at the pediatrician's office, I would generously apply EMLA cream to Emme's thighs in preparation for the much dreaded immunizations. EMLA comes in a very tiny tube and is a lidocaine cream often used to numb an area for things such as an IV start or circumcision. To our surprise we were told she did not need any at this visit so we did a little "No Shots" hibity dibity (aka dance).

The excitement did not last long for she needed a quick, tiny poke to her heel to check her hematocrit (a red blood cell which carries oxygen in the blood). Unfortunately it came back low so they had to check it again but being the trooper she is, Emme did not even make a peep. That too came back low which we were then told we needed to go have her blood drawn to verify the level. So much for the hibity dibity dance we did just a minute ago! Although I used the last of the EMLA cream and applied it to both of her antecubital areas, it did not prevent her from crying as they attempted 3 times (yes THREE) to draw some blood. As those of you with children know, it is heartbreaking to see your child experience pain, especially when you are the one holding them while the pain is being inflicted! While sitting in my lab I had to hold her as still as possible so they could draw the blood while she looked up at me with those big gray eyes and tears streaming down her face with the expression of, "Mommy, why are you letting them do this to me?" It was awful! Fortunately the level came back not as low or concerning and can simply be treated with over-the-counter iron drops. Whew!